ENSA Board of Directors

Lang Banks - Chair

One of Scotland's leading environmentalists, Lang Banks has worked for global conservation organisation WWF for over a decade and has been integral in its work addressing issues relating to climate change, clean energy, and marine protection. Lang was appointed Director of WWF Scotland in 2013. 

Prior to working at WWF Lang was a member of staff at Friends of the Earth Scotland, worked at Strathclyde University Students Association and got his degree from the University of West of Scotland (University of Paisley).

Lang is also currently a Commissioner on the Scottish Just Transition Commission and a Trustee with People's Postcode Lottery.

Dr Antonio Garcia, FRGS, CGeog - External Lay Director

Antonio is a senior manager in Scottish Government, Chief Digital Office within Social Security Scotland. Holding an MBA, and a professional project management qualification, he has led the delivery of a number of programmes, and projects, in national and international roles, including the UN, international NGOs, the civil service and the military; as well as working at the intersection of international peace, security, and education. He is a part-time tutor at the Open University; visiting lecturer at Durham University; and non-resident research fellow at Stellenbosch University.

Dr Ailsa Crum - External Lay Director

Dr Ailsa Crum is Director of Membership, Quality Enhancement & Standards at QAA. Her career has involved extensive student engagement including partnership working with sparqs. She established a student-led project as part of the national Enhancement Themes and speaks widely on the benefits of students as partners in national and institutional policy and practice.

Ailsa has a range of links inside and outside the UK including: the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities, the European Quality Audit Network, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the University of Limerick. Outside work, Ailsa has a research interest in literary memoir and all forms of storytelling.

Sonia Kumar - External Lay Director

Sonia has 25 years’ experience in security focused roles for public and private sector organisations including 16 years in UK Government/Military departments. She is a seasoned leader with experience of helping to drive organisational strategy. 

Sonia has been in key security roles supporting major global events and was instrumental in the crisis response to the cyber-attack against Vodafone Portugal in 2022. She also maintained national security interests for UK Government, playing a pivotal role for public safety and security during the London 2012 Olympics.  

Sonia holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Defence and Information Assurance from Cranfield University. She won Most Inspiring Woman at the 2023 Scottish Cyber Awards.

Hannelie Meintjies - External Lay Director

Having studied Modern Languages, Education and Applied Linguistics in her native South Africa, Hannelie has spent the last seventeen years leading Learning and Development functions within global multinational organisations, specifically within the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. Hannelie is specifically passionate about Leadership Development, Organisational Development and Succession Programmes, having achieved tangible business impact across Europe, the Middle East and Africa deploying large scale projects. Learner engagement, assessment and learning technology have also been areas of keen focus.

Hannelie is also keenly interested in Change Management, Psychometric Assessment and Development, and AI in Learning. Residing in Scotland, Hannelie is passionate about nature, the environment and animal welfare.

Chika Marvis - Full-Time Officer, Director

Chika is one of ENSA's Full-Time Officers for session 2025/26. He has a Master's Degree in Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier. He joined the Board in July 2024 and his current role is Co-President for Education and Employability.

Austen Brunton - Full-Time Officer, Director

Austen is one of ENSA's Full-Time Officers for session 2025/26. He studied Popular Music at Edinburgh Napier and was a member of Napier Men's Hockey for 4 years. He was the club's President in session 2024/25. He joined the Board in July 2023 and his current role is Co-President for Sport and Wellbeing.

Evans Eghan - Full-Time Officer, Director

Evan is an actor, director, producer and creative consultant with film credits spanning from feature films, short films, TV shows, TV Commercials and Music Videos.

Even is also the founder and executive director of Accra Indie Filmfest (AiF), an annual international short film festival based in Accra that typically focuses on showcasing and promoting independent, non-mainstream and often innovative films created by emerging filmmakers from all around the world. 

Evan studied MSc Marketing with Festival and Event Management at Edinburgh Napier University and also served as an International Student Ambassador.

He is from Ghana and loves everything packaged in any artistic format. Joining the ENSA board appealed to him as it offered the extensive opportunity to help contribute to students' wholistic experience through diversity and inclusivity.

Deepa Bheeman - Student Lay Director

Deepa Bheeman is an MBA candidate specializing in strategic project management, from India. With experience in the investment banking sector at top U.S. firms, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact as the student lay director. This role offers her a wonderful opportunity to engage with university activities and contribute positively to both students and the broader university community. 

Deepa has also served on the Education & Student Experience Committee, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the student experience. 

Deepa is a passionate reader of fictional stories and a self-taught digital artist, reflecting her love for creativity and self-expression. Her curiosity lies at the crossroads of technology and finance, sparking her drive for innovation.